FROM CNN.COM
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said Tuesday that he supports a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage to 'prevent the meaning of marriage from being changed forever.'
Criticizing San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, judges of the Massachusetts Supreme Court, and county officials in New Mexico who moved to let same-sex couples receive marriage licenses, Bush said that in recent months 'some activist judges and local officials have made an aggressive attempt to redefine marriage.
'And unless action is taken, we can expect more arbitrary court decisions, more litigation, more defiance of the law by local officials, all of which adds to uncertainty.
'After more than two centuries of American jurisprudence and millennia of human experience, a few judges and local authorities are presuming to change the most fundamental institution of civilization. Their actions have created confusion on an issue that requires clarity.'
Bush said states might be forced to recognize same-sex marriages performed in states that allow them.
'On a matter of such importance, the voice of the people must be heard. Activist courts have left the people with one recourse. If we're to prevent the meaning of marriage from being changed forever, our nation must enact a constitutional amendment to protect marriage in America. Decisive and democratic action is needed because attempts to redefine marriage in a single state or city could have serious consequences throughout the country.'
He called on Congress to 'promptly pass and send to the states for ratification' an amendment that would specifically define marriage as the union of a 'husband and wife.'
But Bush also said state legislatures should be left to define 'legal arrangements other than marriage,' suggesting that such an amendment would do nothing to stop states from allowing civil unions for same-sex couples.
'Our government should respect every person and protect the institution of marriage,' he said. 'There is not a contradiction between these responsibilities.'
A call for civil debate
Bush called for a civil debate on the controversial issue.
'We should also conduct this difficult debate in a matter worthy of our country, without bitterness or anger. In all that lies ahead, let us match strong convictions with kindness and good will and decency.'
As recently as last week, Bush repeated his belief that marriage should be restricted to heterosexual couples. (Full story)
He added that he was 'troubled' by legal decisions in Massachusetts that could clear the way for same-sex marriage -- and the decision by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom this month to defy state law and order the county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Thousands of couples have taken advantage. (California high court may get same-sex marriage)
Last week, Bush said he was paying close attention to what was taking place in San Francisco and Massachusetts.
'I have watched carefully what's happening in San Francisco, where licenses were being issued, even though the law states otherwise,' Bush said. 'I have consistently stated that I'll support law to protect marriage between a man and a woman. Obviously these events are influencing my decision.'
'I am watching very carefully, but I am troubled by what I've seen,' Bush said.
In his State of the Union speech last month, Bush has addressed same-sex marriage, saying, 'our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage.' (Full story)
He stopped short of endorsing a constitutional amendment that would ban marriages for gay and lesbian couples, as social conservative groups had hoped.
Instead, Bush said, 'if judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process.'
